If the Yankees turn to outside help at first base, there’s a wealth of quality options

Eric Hosmer has done it all during his Royals career, but could he be on his way to the Bronx? (Charlie Riedel/AP)

If the Yankees do eventually go outside the organization to add a first baseman, here are some potential options:

1. Eric Hosmer:

Hosmer has a great track record, and would definitely be worth a look at the right price. He currently sports an .828 OPS in Kansas City. He's won three Gold Gloves, a World Series and made an All-Star team. The Royals, though, are just 3.5 games back of first in the AL Central, so they may not want to break up the band just yet.

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2. Yonder Alonso:

Yonder Alonso is having a career year with the A's, but teams could be wary of the veteran hitter in case his newfound production isn't here to stay. (Tony Avelar/AP)

If an extension can't be reached with the A's, Alonso might be a nice fit. He has 17 homers and a 1.014 OPS in Oakland. The 30-year-old veteran entered this year with a .721 career OPS. Is his career-best production here to stay?

3. Lucas Duda:

Could Lucas Duda be headed across town this summer? (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Could the Yankees and Mets become trade partners? Who knows. But Duda is having a fairly productive year, posting an .878 OPS. He'd certainly add a lefty power bat to a Bombers lineup that is righty power heavy.

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4. Matt Adams:

The hot-hitting Matt Adams could be expendable for the Braves now that Freddie Freeman has returned from the disabled list. (John Bazemore/AP)

The Braves struck gold when they traded for Adams. They needed him at first base once Freddie Freeman got injured. All Adams has done since is post a .993 OPS. Making it more incredible, he had been reduced to a reserve role in St. Louis before the deal. Freeman is back now, and the Braves are going to have to figure things out. Freeman could end up at third base to allow Adams to also play every day, according to reports.

The Yankees have gotten a pathetic .197/.294/.373 batting line out of first base this season. Greg Bird just had a cortisone shot in his right ankle, and could be doing something baseball-wise in 3-6 days. Chris Carter has struggled mightily, prompting Joe Girardi to ask the front office for a better alternative. Tyler Austin has homered in consecutive days at Triple-A Scranton, but Brian Cashman currently believes Carter is the best option at this point.

Carter has taken extra batting practice the last two days. Girardi watched on Thursday.

Matt Holliday started at first and homered on Wednesday night, but Girardi doesn't seem too keen on the possibility of that happening more than once-in-a-while. Holliday was brought in to be the team's everyday DH, and has been extremely productive in that role.

Of note: the Yankees still lead the majors in runs per game (5.71). So this is something they've been able to overcome pretty well so far.

HARD TIMES FOR GARDY

The Yankees are hoping Brett Gardner can refind his swing from May, when he hit nine home runs. (Ben Margot/AP)

"I don't think anybody expected me to keep up that pace," Gardner said. "It's just one of those things where, when you're locked in, you're locked in; when you're hot, you're hot. Hopefully I get back to that point as soon as possible."

The Yankees' outfield seemed to be in its best shape when Jacoby Ellsbury, Aaron Hicks and Gardner were rotating, giving everyone ample time off.

Since Ellsbury suffered a concussion on May 24, Gardner has started 24 of the team's last 25 games. Over that stretch, Gardner has a .699 OPS. He had an .890 OPS in his first 40 games.

"It's hard to tell," Joe Girardi said when asked about Gardner's splits. "In April, we thought maybe it was because of the way he got hit (during a collision running to first in the middle of the month). Some months are better than others. Sometimes you play in parks that are more favorable to you. There are a lot of things that could go on. We're trying to get guys rest when we can, but it's that part of the year, and every month is not going to be the same. You'd like it to be really consistent, but it's really not the case."